OBJECTIVES: In various emerging markets coverage of branded drugs is centralized using a national formulary list of covered products. Among new branded products pricing and coverage of expensive cancer dugs has been undergoing significant change in various emerging markets. The objective of this study was to understand new trends in pricing and coverage of targeted cancer therapies in Russia. METHODS: To understand the changes in coverage of targeted cancer therapies, the 2011 and 2012 essential drugs lists for Russia were analyzed for ATC codes L01XC, L01XE, L01XX, L04AA and L04AX. The newly covered and non-covered products were identified and analyzed for factors driving the change in coverage policy. For selected analogs price change during 2011 and 2012 was analyzed to understand trends in price set by the government. RESULTS: Analysis of 2011-2012 essential drug lists show significant change in coverage of targeted cancer therapies. In 2011, only 5 targeted cancer therapies were covered in the essential drug list (Bevacizumab, Rituximab, Trastuzumab, Imatinib and Bortezomib). In 2012, an additional 8 branded cancer drugs were added to the list, expanding the coverage of targeted cancer therapies to 13 products. The price change trend for selected analogs show some products covered at the same price while for others price was reduced by 5-10%. For example, for one of the covered monoclonal antibodies price did not change during 2011 and 2012, while prices for a proteasome inhibitor and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor were lowered by 6% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of pricing and coverage of targeted cancer therapies in Russia shows expansion of access of several products.